Shoe business expanding into former car dealership

Morgan's Shoes and Bootery is moving onto Franklin Boulevard into the former Nissan dealership.

By Amanda Memrick

Published: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at 09:33 AM.

Morgan’s Shoes and Bootery sells footwear made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do over at the old Nissan dealership on Franklin Boulevard.

Company president Doug Morgan tells me that Morgan’s Shoes and Bootery is in the process of purchasing the Nissan dealership, something he’s been working on since August of last year.

Buying a car dealership isn’t as easy as some might think, he said. Before you close you have to make sure there aren’t any environmental issues and go through a process to get everything in line for the sale. He thinks Morgan’s is about two to three weeks from closing on the property.

The new space will give Morgan’s 20,000 square feet of square space on 7½ acres. He’ll gut the interior to create rooms for shoes, scrubs, outdoor gear and more.

“We needed a large location probably for the last three or four years,” Morgan said. “I think it’s going to be a good move.”

The family’s store in Asheville — Discount Shoes — is 33,000 square feet of space, so the family is used to operating a bigger store.

Morgan’s Shoes and Bootery has been helping folks with footwear for 18 years at the South New Hope location next to the post office.

Morgan’s Shoes and Bootery sells footwear made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do over at the old Nissan dealership on Franklin Boulevard.

Company president Doug Morgan tells me that Morgan’s Shoes and Bootery is in the process of purchasing the Nissan dealership, something he’s been working on since August of last year.

Buying a car dealership isn’t as easy as some might think, he said. Before you close you have to make sure there aren’t any environmental issues and go through a process to get everything in line for the sale. He thinks Morgan’s is about two to three weeks from closing on the property.

The new space will give Morgan’s 20,000 square feet of square space on 7½ acres. He’ll gut the interior to create rooms for shoes, scrubs, outdoor gear and more.

“We needed a large location probably for the last three or four years,” Morgan said. “I think it’s going to be a good move.”

The family’s store in Asheville — Discount Shoes — is 33,000 square feet of space, so the family is used to operating a bigger store.

Morgan’s Shoes and Bootery has been helping folks with footwear for 18 years at the South New Hope location next to the post office.

The new location should give the shoe shop lots of visibility and the chance to expand if needed.

“Gastonia, they take care of their small businesses,” Morgan said.

Notice anything new in the business landscape lately? Business reporter Amanda Memrick wants to hear from you. Call me at 704-869-1839, send an email to amemrick@gastongazette.com or send a tweet shout out to @AmandaMemrick on Twitter.